Walking Barefoot

It has become more common to see runner’s barefoot or wearing lightweight hi-tech shoes. There has been some interesting speculation around if it is better for your feet to be shoeless or wearing ultra-lightweight shoes when walking or running.

A study conducted by researchers at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa discovered that before the invention of shoes, individuals had much healthier feet. The study compared the feet of 180 modern humans from three population groups (Sotho, European, Zulu) to 2, 000-year-old-skeletons. The findings concluded that the Zulu populations, who are frequently barefoot, have the healthiest feet, while shoe wearing Europeans had less healthy feet.

The interesting investigation is in motion regarding whether or not humans really need elaborate cushioned walking/running shoes, when those before us had managed for centuries without.

For more information on walking barefoot take a look at these articles: “Benefits of Barefoot”, and “You Walk Wrong”

Are you exercising enough?

All adults need some form of endurance exercise to increase their heart rate for at least ten minutes at a time, to keep healthy. A brisk walk can be a simple and enjoyable moderate exercise to add to your routine.

Moderate endurance exercise should be incorporated into your daily routine for a total of 30 minutes, and be repeated five days a week. To incorporate a 30 minute moderate aerobic exercise in to your busy schedule, why not take three 10-minute brisk walks throughout the day.

Additional moderate endurance exercises: swimming, dancing, light jogging

 
Visit the National Institute on Aging for more information on moderate endurance activities.

Mall Walking

For those of you who would rather not walk outside during the winter season, and are looking for an alternative to walking on a treadmill, then “Mall Walking” might be the right thing for you. Mall walking is exactly what it sounds like: people actively walking in the corridors of shopping malls. It is common for many malls to open there doors early for individuals interested in walking the mall before shoppers arrive. Malls provide a comfortable climate and a safe place to walk, not to mention easy access to the washroom! Mall walking can be done individually or done in groups, which can offer motivation to keep you walking. Contact your local mall to see if they open their doors early.

For more information on Mall walking visit Discovery Fit and Health

Accessorize

You really don’t need any walking gear to get started, but as you get into to your walking routine you may be interested in specialized accessories.


A few items to consider:

Heart Rate Monitor- Used to measure the exertion being put forth. Wireless heart rate monitors are best because they provide an accurate read and are easy to wear.

Pedometer- A device that counts steps and mileage. Pedometers can also be adjusted to measure stride length. New GPS systems can also calculate speed and distance based on satellite readings.

Personal Stereo- An MP3 player can be a great walking companion and also increase motivation and endurance during a walk. It can also be a good distraction when approaching the last few miles.

Fitness Log- It is helpful to keep a fitness log or diary to record and keep track of your activities. It can also help you stay on top of your goals and help you achieve them by updating your log regularly.

Check out The Walking Site to find out more helpful hints about walking accessories.